LIVERMORE — Tuesday’s City Council election will be largely based on a running theme in this city’s political landscape — how the city should grow, and where it should happen.

Interested parties are watching whether Councilwoman Lorraine Dietrich can get a third term when challenger Jeff Williams, a newcomer to Livermore politics, has strong financial backing from the Friends of Livermore.

That group was instrumental in defeating Measure D, a 2005 initiative aimed at bringing 2,450 homes to north Livermore.

Councilwoman Marj Leider, the third candidate for two seats, appears to be in the safest position as an incumbent. She, too, is backed by the Friends of Livermore.

The safest person on the ballot overall is Mayor Marshall Kamena, running unopposed.

Williams and Leider have pegged Dietrich as being too friendly with developers, and have tried to rekindle the high emotions of 2005, when Measure D was the key issue.

Dietrich was the sole supporter of Measure D on the City Council at the time, but she said that is not germane to this election.

“With the urban growth boundary adopted in 2003, which requires any change go to the voters, what the personal opinion of any council member is pretty irrelevant,” she said.

The three current candidates were interviewed by Carolyn Siegfried for a TV29 forum that will run repeatedly until the election.

Dietrich said she is not against development on North Livermore Avenue, but would like to see it all happen close to Interstate 580.

“Housing could be built near the freeway in exchange for open space beyond it,” she said. “The vast majority of (north Livermore) would be left open, with the density built closer to downtown.”

Leider and Williams say another model is needed.

“We saw success in south Livermore,” said Williams, referring to the mix of agricultural (mostly vineyard-re-lated) and low-density residential use. “We need to do the same in north and east Livermore … Citizens have made it clear they do not want significant new housing tracts.”

Leider agreed, but added the situations are not all the same.

“The problem with a similar agricultural mix is that they are missing water in north Livermore,” she said.

And in east Livermore, she said, housing could work if it is transit-friendly, built near the Altamont Commuter Express station.

Williams says he represents a second seat for former anti-Measure D voters.

“I want to give that 72 percent a second choice in this election,” he said.

Other issues are not as divisive, although a big one is looming — deteriorating roads and sewers in need of repairs to the tune of $165 million.

“If they’re not fixed, some infrastructure problems can be pretty unpleasant,” Dietrich said.

She said they’d have to look at the economic realities, and find how residents would be willing to pay for the fixes.

The other two candidates said they hoped it wouldn’t come to a bond measure.

“This problem is not unique to Livermore,” Williams said. “If we can enhance our sales tax base, with new car dealerships and the like, maybe we can fix it.”

Dietrich won the most votes of any candidate last time she was up for re-election in 2003, and Williams acknowledged it is tough to beat an incumbent.

But the Friends of Livermore have a serious bankroll, with more than $65,000 collected. Much of it is in large donations from a small number of residents.

The candidates themselves — limited to accepting a maximum of $250 from any one donor — took in much less. As of Oct. 20, Leider had amassed $10,000, Williams $10,600 and Dietrich $14,700.

Williams said he also hopes a low turnout will help his campaign.

“That probably goes in my favor,” he said. “Those who like the status quo are more likely to stay home, while those who want change will come out.”

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